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Balance and Tension
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Balance
Balance is visual stability.
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Balance
The most important psychological as well as physical influence
on human perception is man’s need for balance, to have his two
feet planted firmly on the ground and to know if he is to remain
upright in any circumstance, in any attitude, with some
reasonable certainty.”
– Donis A. Dondis
“
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Balance
The need for balance is man’s strongest reference for making
visual judgements.
No method for calculating balance is faster or accurate as man’s
intuitive sense.
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Balance
An objects balance is judged by it’s relationship with the
horizontal and vertical axis.
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Balance
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Balance in the format
On the axis or the perceived axis.
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Balance in the format
Even white space between the form and format boundary.
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Tension
Tension is visual instability.
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Tension
This process of ordering, of intuitively recognizing regularity
or the lack of it, is an unconscious one, requiring no explanation
or verbalization. For both the sender and the receiver of visual
information the lack of balance and regularity is a very
disorienting factor.”
– Donis A. Dondis
“
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Tension
Elements that do not conform to the vertical and horizontal axis
cause tension.
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Tension
Since balance is such an important factor in human perception,
tension is one of the easiest visual qualities to perceive.
Elements that do not conform to the vertical and horizontal axis
cause tension.
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Tension
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Tension in the format
Uneven white space between the form and format boundary.
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Tension in the format
Off the axis or the perceived axis.
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Problem statement
Using a black square (1 3/8") on a white square format (4"x4")
create two compositions, one that illustrates balance and one
that illustrates tension.
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Breaking down the problem statement
Using a black square (1 3/8") on a white square format (4"x4")
create two compositions, one that illustrates balance and one
that illustrates tension.
Form
square
plane
1 3/8"
Format
square
structure
proportion
4"x4"
Principle
balance
tension
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Questions
What are the mathematical relationships between the object and
the format and the form?
How do the balance and tension compositions relate to each other?
How is balance best represented using a square in a square format?
How is tension best represented using a square in a square format?
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The Process
The problem statement can be solved through the answering of
questions. Use your thumbnail to answer questions that explore
the problem statement.
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Thumbnails
Use a full scale white square (4"x4") and a black square (1 3/8")
to explore the answers to the questions. Use your thumbnails
to document your findings.
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Evaluate thumbnails
Compare and contrast your thumbnails, which were successful
and which were not, why? Mark the ones you think answer
the questions.
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Refined ½ scale thumbnails
Use your refined thumbnails to further explore your best
thumbnails at the ½ scale size.
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Refined full scale thumbnails
Use your refined full scale thumbnails to refine your best thumbnails.
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Final
Mount your finals at full scale on 11"x14" Bristol board. Your
finals will be part of your final book that will be turned in at the
end of the semester. Create two copies of your final, one to
turn in and one for the final book.
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